Patents by Inventor Michael Aprea

Michael Aprea has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10557777
    Abstract: A sampling container apparatus for a remotely operated vehicle (“ROV”) is disclosed. An example sampling container includes a tank configured to hold a sample collected from an underwater environment. The tank includes at least one opening that contains a plunger therein. The plunger includes a contraction or retraction mechanism that pulls the plunger into the tank causing the plunger to actuate from an open position to a closed position. The plunger is retained in the open position by a retainer plate. To enable the plunger to actuate to the closed position, the tank is rotated relative to the retainer plate, causing the plunger to traverse a travel channel in the retainer plate. The travel channel includes a plunger window, which when reached by the plunger, enables the plunger to be pulled through the retainer plate, thereby sealing the opening of the tank and preserving the collected sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Aquabotix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Durval M. Tavares, Michael Aprea
  • Publication number: 20190011335
    Abstract: A sampling container apparatus for a remotely operated vehicle (“ROV”) is disclosed. An example sampling container includes a tank configured to hold a sample collected from an underwater environment. The tank includes at least one opening that contains a plunger therein. The plunger includes a contraction or retraction mechanism that pulls the plunger into the tank causing the plunger to actuate from an open position to a closed position. The plunger is retained in the open position by a retainer plate. To enable the plunger to actuate to the closed position, the tank is rotated relative to the retainer plate, causing the plunger to traverse a travel channel in the retainer plate. The travel channel includes a plunger window, which when reached by the plunger, enables the plunger to be pulled through the retainer plate, thereby sealing the opening of the tank and preserving the collected sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Durval M. Tavares, Michael Aprea
  • Patent number: 10061320
    Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle (“ROV”) camera apparatus is disclosed. An ROV includes an anchor housing connected to a body of the ROV. The anchor housing includes a first magnet. The ROV also includes a camera connection housing configured to be rotatably connected to the anchor housing. The camera connection housing includes a connector cup configured to contact the anchor housing, a second magnet located inside the connector cup, the second magnet configured to magnetically couple to the first magnet, and a motor assembly including a motor configured to rotate a drive shaft, the drive shaft being connected to the magnet plate. The ROV further includes a camera device mechanically coupled to the camera connection housing. Actuation of the motor causes the connector cup to rotate with respect to the anchor housing causing the camera device to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Aquabotix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Durval M. Tavares, Michael Aprea, Joshua Michael Normandin
  • Publication number: 20180203449
    Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle (“ROV”) camera apparatus is disclosed. An ROV includes an anchor housing connected to a body of the ROV. The anchor housing includes a first magnet. The ROV also includes a camera connection housing configured to be rotatably connected to the anchor housing. The camera connection housing includes a connector cup configured to contact the anchor housing, a second magnet located inside the connector cup, the second magnet configured to magnetically couple to the first magnet, and a motor assembly including a motor configured to rotate a drive shaft, the drive shaft being connected to the magnet plate. The ROV further includes a camera device mechanically coupled to the camera connection housing. Actuation of the motor causes the connector cup to rotate with respect to the anchor housing causing the camera device to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Durval M. Tavares, Michael Aprea, Joshua Michael Normandin
  • Publication number: 20130112574
    Abstract: This invention provides a combination key tag and key holder which includes a key tag holder case for enclosing key tags. The key tag holder case has a top portion, middle portion, and a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines an aperture for receiving a post. The post routes through the aperture of the bottom portion, through a key tag, and into an interior of the key tag holder case. The top portion releasably attaches to the post to secure the key tags within the key tag holder case. A strap member attaches to the key tag holder case for closing the key tag holder case to prevent key tags from exiting an interior of the key tag holder case. A key ring attaches to an aperture defined within the middle portion of the key tag holder case to hold keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Aprea
  • Patent number: D680733
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Aprea